By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

WBA flyweight champ Seigo Yuri Akui (20-2-1, 11 KOs), 112, successfully made his first defense as he kept stalking elusive footworker Taku Kuwahara (13-2, 8 KOs), 112, maintained the pressure and pounded out a unanimous decision over twelve rounds on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. The scores read: Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand), Jose Roberto Torres (Puerto Rico) both 117-111, and Yoshikazu Furuta (Japan) 118-110, all in favor of the aggressive champ.

It was their rematch since Akui scored a tenth and final round knockout over Kuwahara in then defending his national flyweight belt in 2021. The champ proved again he’s more powerful in swapping punches to force the challenger to stick his circling strategy. Taku occasionally attempted to respond to Seigo’s aggression, but his retaliation was not enough to take back the initiative and overcome his deficits on points.

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